Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-07-14

some Joke at the bottom of their alb
surd appearance to-day. l shrcwdly
suspect their father has been giving
them a curtain lecture on the folios Of
fashion, and they are giving him an
ocular demonstration Of his own
ideas"
"The dickens they arcw muttered
the interested listener on the other side
Of tho tree,
"But surely, he has no need TO re-
strict them in any reasonable desires" ="
said the first voice.
"Oh, nor replied the other "but
they dc say he is a stingy old bear in
his own family, and though the girls
appear neatly and tastefully dressed in
public, my wife tells me that they are
obliged to turn and return and make
over as rigidly as IL they were at the
very foot of the ladder, instead of at
the top"
"Its a shamer' broke out the young
er man, with warmth, "a man don't de-
serve family who will treat them in
that way"
That's true" replied the elder gem
tleman, and his tone had n shade Of
sadness in it, II would give all I'm
worth, II l had those merry girls to
make sunshine in my quiet home, and
he sighed, as he thought of far-away
cemetery, where the hopes Of lifetime
lay buried.
"Chauncy Harrison can not expect
to keep them very long for they are
too attractive to remain in the home
nest, and he can well afford TO make
their lives happy and free from petty
cares while they DO stay with him;
later years will bring sorrow and cares
quickly enough, and IL my girls had
lived, should have wished them TO 90
out from my home with only pleasant
memories of it," concluded the speak
er, with feeling,
And the wifeP' said the other. in
quiringly. t-.. ..a
"One of the gentlest and wiscst of
little women" was the reply, "and it
is largely owing to her wisdom and
economy, that he is where he is to-
day."
"And presume he doles out every
dollar as il she was his paid servant"
replied the other Indignantly.
"For my part, when get a wife
intend to put a certain sum in the bank
to her credit, and give her the use of
it unrcscrvedly; it must be so unutter-
ably CALLING to woman with any
spirit whatever to be obliged to ask for
every dolls she uses"
"And especially. when she can Just
ly feel that she has done her full share
in earning the family living" replied
the other. ''Of course there are ex-
ceptional cases, where woman may
be over extravagant and unfit to be
trusted with unrestricted means, but
do think, when n woman proves, as
Mrs. Harrison has, that she is careful
and economical financier, she should
have her share in the family prosperity,
and be relieved from the petty cares of
saving. and contriving, after the neces-
sity FOR it is over"
just here the conversation was in.
terruptcd by Kitty, who came tripping
along toward the umbrella on the 9th.
er side Of the tree; usually her move.
ments were most graceful, but to-day
the short, happy dress persisted in
catching on the tops of her big shoes,
in a most awkward manner.
"Why, papa, are you tired of us. that
you get away by yOurself?' she asked,
swcctly, as she curled down by his side;
meanwhile the gentlemen had risen,
and, looking at each other with horri. |
fed faces, had beaten a prccipitate re-
treat.
no, Kitty; no." he replied in an
unusually gentle tone, aud placing
caressing hand on the trim wrist. ''bui
l am thinking, so run away, dear,
please, and Kitty wisely obeyed.
Yes, he was thinking, and his trair
of thought was on new line, as he
ponderod over and over the words he
had hoard, and, somehow. as he
weighed his merry daughters, with
their pretty, winsome ways. and their
gentle mother in the balance with his
long bank account, the money side
grew wonderfully light, and he thought
with a shudder, Of what the world
would be to MIN with even one of the
loved one taken from him.
"'Stingy old bear, that Just de-
scribes it, - he said to himself, as he
looked back over the many contests. in
which the very least which could be-
made to supply the family wants had
been grudgingly given, only too fire.
queStly, with bitter words which made
the giving worse than a charity.
" Hasn't this been a most delightful
day, papa?' said Polly, who escorted
her father home from the train.
Yes assented Nj. Harrison. So
berly. "and a most profitable one
also, aud he meant his words, most |
sincprely.
81 don't think 50, " said Kitty as they
were entering the gate. "for have a
horrid green grass stain right on the
hem Of my dress, and shall have TO
put in a new breadth before can wear
Il to the party aud Mr.. Harrison biz
his lip at the allusion TO their compact,
but said nothing.
Poor papa; he was So ashamed Of
ms, said Kitty, as the girls retired to
their bed, "actlullly, Nell. / never wis
so sorry for any one in my lifc.''
Girls, y said Mr.. Harrison the next
at breakfast, didn't hear
you say something about n party to
which you had been invitcdP" with an
innocent mir Of inquiring for informa-
lion.
'At Mrs Lincoln's, perhaps, you
mean" replied Nell, falling in with
his cOnceit, and willing 10 ignore the